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Labor Drops Controversial FoI Amendments, Sparks Democratic Debate

3/5/2026

36 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The Labor government has abandoned proposed FoI amendments that would have imposed fees and reduced transparency.
Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said the government still seeks FoI reform, citing inefficiencies and high processing costs.
Opposition Senate leader Michaelia Cash called the backdown a victory for democracy and criticized the previous approach.
Greens senator David Shoebridge said the changes would have made the system more secretive.

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Story summary

The Labor government has abandoned proposed FoI amendments that would have imposed fees and reduced transparency.
Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said the government still seeks FoI reform, citing inefficiencies and high processing costs.
Opposition Senate leader Michaelia Cash called the backdown a victory for democracy and criticized the previous approach.
Greens senator David Shoebridge said the changes would have made the system more secretive.